I interviewed at a small company in Tokyo that was looking for an experienced programmer. I did a take-home programming test that took me a couple of hours (not

I interviewed at a small company in Tokyo that was looking for an experienced programmer. I did a take-home programming test that took me a couple of hours (not Fizzbuzz-level), and also a couple of on-site tests. Besides being bilingual in English and Japanese, which isn't rare but relatively uncommon, I also happen to speak an additional language that they use. I was aiming at U$50~70k -- yes, the average senior programmer in Tokyo earns less than a junior programmer in the Bay Area -- they offered me $35k. For reference, cost of living in Tokyo is about as high SF as far as I know (rent and taxes are probably lower in Japan but food is more expensive). After that I went back to always asking the salary range beforehand.